ISLAMABAD, Jan. 15 (Xinhua) -- Suspected U.S. drone fired four missiles, killing at least five people in northwest Pakistan's tribal region, local TV channel reported Friday.

    More casualties are feared in the attacks in North Waziristan tribal agency near the Afghan border, the private TV GEO News reported.

    The unmanned U.S. plane targeted Zarniri area, which is near the spot where Tehrik-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) chief Hakimullah Mehsud is believed to be injured in drone strike.

    It was the ninth missile strike in the region in about two weeks. More than 700 people have died in about 77 drone strikes in Pakistan since Aug. 2008, but U.S. officials do not confirm individual attacks.

    A missile fired by U.S. drone plane at a militants' compound on Thursday injured Hakimullah, sources said. The vehicle of the Taliban chief was completely destroyed in the attack.

    On the other hand, Taliban sources claimed that Hakimullah had already left the scene before the attack took place.

    Official sources said that Thursday's drone attack had wounded Mehsud, who was getting treatment at an undisclosed location.

    The Pakistani officials including Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi oppose such attacks which caused anger in local population and could damage relations of Islamabad with Washington.